Mobile equipment and mobile phone with shooting function

ABSTRACT

Mobile equipment includes LEDs supplied with a current to emit red light, green light and blue light, FETs and a booster circuit for controlling the current supplied. The current supplied is controlled to supply all of the LED with a current of a low level to illuminate an object in a shooting mode with light for illumination. Thus in the shooting mode a white spot light illuminates the object, and the object can clearly be confirmed. At the moment of shooting, a current supplied can be increased at a burst to emit white flashlight to illuminate the object. A satisfactory image can thus be obtained. The source of light for illumination can be formed of miniature, light-weight LED, and does not impair in mobility mobile equipment having the source of light incorporated therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/186,793filed Jul. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,139,474, which is aContinuation of application Ser. No. 10/507,630 filed on Sep. 14, 2004now U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,489 and for which priority is claimed under 35U.S.C. § 120. application Ser. No. 10/507,630 is the national phase ofPCT International Application No. PCT/JP03/03101 filed on Mar. 14, 2003under 35 U.S.C. § 371. The entire contents of each of theabove-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mobile equipment and mobile phones witha shooting function and in particular to those having an illuminationfunction for shooting.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally in shooting pictures in dark places a xenon tube istypically used as a source of light for electronic flash forillumination. The xenon tube can emit a sufficient quantity of light.However, peripheral circuitry driving the xenon tube requires a highlyvoltage withstanding, large-capacity capacitor, a voltage transformerand the like. Consequently, the source of light for electronic flashemploying the xenon tube has a physically increased geometry. As such,it has been significantly difficult to mount an auxiliary source oflight of this type in miniature mobile equipment having a shootingfunction. Conventionally for example camera equipped mobile phones areequipped with an auxiliary source of light using a xenon tube to shootpictures with the camera. The auxiliary source of light is physicallylarge in geometry, as has been mentioned, and has accordingly beendetachably attached to a mobile phone, rather than incorporated therein.

As conventional art employing LED, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.5-328210 discloses an illumination device using a light emitting diode(LED) for a TV camera that is synchronized with the TV camera'sshuttering operation to emit light in pulse. Furthermore, JapanesePatent Laying-Open No. 9-68742 discloses a shooting apparatus employingan LED for light for illumination for shooting for synchronizationbetween the LED's illumination period and the camera's shooting period.An illumination device employing an LED of Japanese Patent Laying-OpenNo. 10-48708 synchronizes a charge coupled device (CCD) electronicshutter camera's exposure and of the LED's emission of light in pulse.

The techniques disclosed in these publications do indicate thatillumination for shooting is provided by using an LED. However, theyonly disclose a technique employed to synchronize a timing of drivingthe LED and that of picking up an image. Furthermore, Japanese PatentLaying-Open No. 2000-66292 discloses that when an apparatus transfersonto a color film the data shot by a camera, it selects one of LEDsemitting different colors of light depending on different backgroundcolors and causes the selected LED to emit light to allow a clear recordregardless of the color of the background.

While the above mentioned publications do indicate that light forillumination is provided by using an LED, none of the documentsindicates that mobile equipment employs an LED to generate and directwhite light for illumination to an object.

When a mobile phone is typically used to shoot a picture of an objectvia a camera, the mobile phone is often positioned to face the objectfor example to take a picture of the object's face at a short distancein closeup. The shot image can be digitally processed to be adjusted,and the camera equipped mobile phone does not require an auxiliarysource of light providing as much a quantity of light as provided by axenon tube. Accordingly, there is a demand for an auxiliary source ofwhite light smaller in size and consuming less power than the xenontube.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates mobile equipment having a shootingfunction and incorporating a miniature and less power consuming sourceof light for illumination used to confirm objects.

The present invention in one aspect provides mobile equipment having ashooting function including: a camera unit; a light source unit having alight emitting diode arranged on a surface provided with the cameraunit; an input device having a shutter key and an illumination key; anda controller operative in response to the shutter key being operated tostore to a previously prepared memory image data received from thecamera unit, and operative in response to the illumination key beingoperated to start the light source unit to provide illumination whetheror not the shutter key is operated.

If an object is in a dark environment and cannot be recognized, theillumination key can be operated (pressed) to continuously output lightfor illumination of a level allowing the object to be recognized. Withthe light for illumination the user can locate the object and shoot theobject's image.

Preferably, with the light source unit providing illumination when theshutter key is operated the controller stores to the memory image dataoutput from the camera unit and thereafter terminates illuminationprovided by the light source unit

This can help the object to recognize that an image of the object hasbeen shot. Furthermore, it can also prevent the user from forgetting toturn off the light emitting diode.

Preferably, with the light source unit providing illumination when theshutter key is operated the controller responsively increases a quantityof light of the light source unit. In shooting the object's image theobject's eyes can receive less dazzling light than when a flashlight ofhigh illuminance is suddenly output in a dark place.

Preferably, when the controller having increased a quantity of light ofthe light source unit in response to the shutter key being operateddecreases the quantity of light of the light source unit after imagedata output from the camera unit is stored to the memory. The lightemitting diode can be operated at high intensity for a reduced period oftime. Its burden can be alleviated.

The present invention in another aspect provides mobile equipmentincluding: a camera unit; a light source unit having a light emittingdiode arranged on a surface provided with the camera unit; an inputdevice having a shutter key and an illumination key; and a controlleroperative in response to the illumination key being operated to startthe light source unit to provide illumination, and operative in responseto the shutter key being operated to store to a previously preparedmemory image data output from the camera unit, and with the light sourceunit providing illumination when the shutter key is operated thecontroller stores to the memory image data output from the camera unitand thereafter terminates illumination provided by the light sourceunit.

The present invention is still another aspect provides mobile equipmentincluding: a camera unit; a light source unit having a light emittingdiode arranged on a surface provided with the camera unit; an inputdevice having a shutter key and an illumination key; and a controlleroperative in response to the illumination key being operated to startthe light source unit to provide illumination, and operative in responseto the shutter key being operated to store to a previously preparedmemory image data output from the camera unit, wherein with the lightsource unit providing illumination when the shutter key is operated thecontroller responsively increases a quantity of light of the lightsource unit.

Preferably, the controller having increased a quantity of light of thelight source unit in response to the shutter key being operateddecreases the quantity of light of the light source unit after imagedata output from the camera unit is stored to the memory. The lightemitting diode can be operated at high intensity for a reduced period oftime. Its burden can be alleviated.

The present invention is still another aspect to provides a mobile phonehaving a shooting mode and a plurality of types of modes of operation,including: a camera unit; a light source unit having a light emittingdiode arranged on a surface provided with the camera unit; an inputdevice having a shutter key and an illumination key; and a controllerresponsive in the shooting mode to the illumination key being operatedto start the light source unit to provide illumination, and alsoresponsive in the shooting mode to the shutter key being operated tostore to a previously prepared memory image data output from the cameraunit, the controller changing in accordance with the types of modes ofoperation a color of light emitted by the light source unit.

If an object is in a dark environment and cannot be recognized, theillumination key can be pressed to continuously output light forillumination of a level allowing the object to be recognized. With thelight for illumination the user can locate the object and shoot theobject's image. Furthermore, the light emitting diode can be used forboth illumination and indication of a mode of operation, and thuscontribute to a further reduced size of the apparatus.

Preferably, the light source unit is formed of three light emittingdiodes emitting red light, green light and blue light, respectively; andin the shooting mode when the illumination key is operated thecontroller allows the three light emitting diodes to all emit light tostart illumination.

Thus in the shooting mode light emitting diodes emitting red light,green light and blue light can all emit light. A source of lightemitting white light can thus be obtained and the white light can beemitted to illuminate an object.

Preferably, the controller changes a color of light emitted by the lightsource unit to emit a color of light for detection of reception of acall, and a different color of light for detection of reception of mail.Furthermore when reception (of a call or mail) is detected, thecontroller may turn on the light source unit to emit a predeterminedcolor of light.

When an incoming call is detected the light source unit emits light of acolor and when incoming mail is detected the light source unit emitslight of a different color. The user can visually recognize whether acall or mail has arrived, and the user can make a subsequent responsequickly.

Preferably, the controller turns on the light source unit to a soundsignaling reception. This can make it more fun for the user to receive acall, mail or the like.

Preferably, when the mobile phone is operated to run software for a gamethe controller turns on the light source unit in synchronization with asound effect of the game. This can make it more fun for the user to playthe game.

The present invention in one aspect provides mobile equipment having afunction to shoot an image of an object, including a camera unit and alight source unit serving as an auxiliary source of light for shootingto emit white light, wherein the light source unit is implemented by alight emitting diode to emit white light.

More specifically, it further includes a light source unit having lightemitting devices supplied with a current to generate red light, greenlight and blue light, respectively, and a current supply controllercontrolling a current supplied to the light emitting devices, and thecurrent supply controller supplies all of the light emitting deviceswith a current to illuminate an object in a shooting mode with light forillumination.

Thus in the shooting mode the light emitting devices generating redlight, green light and blue light and are all supplied with a current toemit light. A source of light emitting white light can thus be obtainedand the white light can thus be emitted to illuminate the object.

Thus in the shooting mode the object is exposed to white light forillumination. In natural light, the object can receive a spot light andthus more clearly be confirmed.

In the above described mobile equipment the light source unit ispreferably formed of a plurality of types of light emitting diodes. Thediodes can be combined together to emit light to generate white light.

The above described mobile equipment preferably has a plurality of typesof modes of operation and a light emitting diode selected in accordancewith a type of mode of operation of the mobile equipment can be suppliedwith a current. A selected one or more thereof combined together canemit light to visually signal the current mode of operation.

In the above described mobile equipment the light source unit ispreferably formed of a white light emitting diode.

The above described mobile equipment preferably includes a currentsupply controller controlling a current supplied to the light sourceunit's light emitting diode so that at the moment of shooting, thecurrent is increased to a level to allow light for illumination tobecome a flashlight.

Thus at the moment of shooting, or at the right moment to release theshutter, the object can be exposed to a white flashlight. If the objectis in a dark place a satisfactory image of the object can be obtained.

The above described mobile equipment outputs from a single light sourceunit selectively a flashlight emitted in shooting an image of an objectand light different from the flashlight in illuminance and time ofillumination. It allows light to be emitted with an illuminance for aperiod of time, as selected to accommodate a purpose, an application andthe like.

The present invention in another aspect provides mobile equipmentcorresponding to equipment having a function to shoot an image of anobject, including a plurality of keys operated to input information,incorporating a light emitting diode operated to emit white light viathe key. The white light emitted via the key can provide white light forillumination in shooting an image of an object.

In the above described mobile equipment a current is supplied in thelight emitting diode's forward direction. While a light emitting deviceis xenon tube, a lamp or the like, the light emitting diode allows thelight emitting device to be reduced in size and weight, and if a lightsource unit is mounted the mobile equipment can still be compact.

In the above described mobile equipment preferably a plurality of typesof light emitting diodes are connected in series.

In the above described mobile equipment preferably a plurality of typesof light emitting diodes are connected in parallel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a mobile phone equipped with a shootingfunction in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of a light source unit in anembodiment;

FIG. 3 shows another exemplary configuration of the light source unit inthe embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an external appearance in front and rear views,respectively, of a mobile phone in an embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B represent a timing of inputting image data and a levelof a current supplied to a light source unit, as correlated with eachother as time elapses;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an operation in an object shootingmode;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of indicating a state ofthe mobile phone;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary configuration of a light source unit in anembodiment; and

FIG. 9 shows still another exemplary configuration of the light sourceunit in the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter the present invention in embodiment will be described withreference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, light forillumination for example for shooting is emitted by a light emittingdevice implemented by an LED. In recent years an LED emitting blue lighthas been developed, and LEDs now can be used to provide emission ofwhite light. An LED can be driven by a simple circuit and significantlyreadily handable.

The present embodiment assumes as mobile equipment having a shootingfunction a mobile phone integrally equipped with a subminiature digitalcamera. This mobile phone has mounted therein three LEDs emitting red(R) light, green (G) light and blue (B) light, respectively. These threeLEDs are simultaneously operated to emit light to provide and useemission of white light as an auxiliary source of light for illuminationin shooting with the digital camera. The mobile equipment can be compactand also integrally equipped with a source of light for illuminationprovided by emission of white light for shooting.

When a plurality of LEDs are used to shoot an image, the LEDs areoperated to simultaneously emit light or sequentially emit light withinan exposure period of time. If the LEDs are operated to sequentiallyemit light, a reduced current consumption can be achieved and each LED'sdurability can be improved. However, a reduced total quantity of lightis invited, and to provide an increased quantity of light a large numberof LEDs are required. In contrast, operating LEDs simultaneously to emitlight allows a smaller number of LEDs to be used to provide a large aquantity of white light and the light source unit to be reduced in size.Accordingly in the present embodiment a method of operating LEDs tosimultaneously emit light will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a mobile phone equipped with a shootingfunction in accordance with the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an exemplaryconfiguration of a light source unit in accordance with the presentembodiment and FIG. 3 shows another exemplary configuration thereof.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an external appearance in front and rear views,respectively, of the mobile phone in accordance with the presentembodiment. With reference to FIG. 4A, the mobile phone in the frontview includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7 displaying an image and avariety of information, an input device 8 having numeral keys and othersimilar, plurality of keys externally operable to input information, anda microphone 54 and a receiver 55 receiving and outputting a speech forcommunications. Input device 8 includes an illumination key 51 and ashutter key 52. With reference to FIG. 4B, the mobile phone is, as seenin the rear view, provided in a single surface with a camera unit 5shooting an image of an object and a light source unit 12 (22)outputting white light for auxiliary illumination for shooting. Whenillumination key 51 is pressed, light source unit 12 (22) emits lightfor illumination of a level allowing an object to be confirmed, and whenshutter key 52 is pressed, light source unit 12 (22) emits light forillumination of a level corresponding to a flash for shooting an imageof the object.

When the mobile phone's camera unit 5 is used to shoot a picture of anobject, the obtained image is displayed on LCD 7. The user observes thedisplayed image and presses shutter key 52. In response, light sourceunit 12 (22) emits a flash for shooting the picture of the object. Inthe flash, the image is shot and its data is output and stored to amemory 40, described later, internal to the mobile phone and thereafterheld in a memory 2.

With reference to FIG. 1, the mobile phone includes: a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 1 intensively controlling components; memory 2having a variety of shot data and programs stored therein; anencoding/decoding circuit 3; a camera controller 4 incorporating memory40 temporarily storing received image data Di, wherein i=1, 2, 3, . . .n; camera unit 5 controlled by camera controller 4, formed for exampleof a CCD or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) shooting animage of an object and outputting resultantly obtained image data Di ofthe object; an LCD controller 6; LCD 7 controlled by LCD controller 6;input device 8; a wireless system 9 and an antenna 10 for wirelesscommunications; a system power supply 11 supplying components withpower; light source unit 12 (22); and a battery 13.

Encoding/decoding circuit 3 has a function encoding informationtransmitted and received via antenna 10 and wireless system 9 to betransmittable, and a function decoding received information to beinternally processable. Camera controller 4 receives image data Dipicked up by and sequentially output from camera unit 5 and stores thedata temporarily in memory 40. Of the temporarily stored image data Di,only image data Di input immediately after shutter key 52 is pressed isstored via memory 40 and finally in memory 2 and the other image data Diare rewritten whenever necessary. Camera controller 4 performs a processfor example to adjust white balance, adjust exposure, address red-eyeand set an angle of view, as based on image data Di sequentially storedto memory 40 in a mode of shooting by camera unit 5. CPU 1 performs aprocess for the entirety of the system. System power supply 11 receivesvoltage from battery 13, adjusts the received voltage to have aprescribed level corresponding to each component and then supplies theadjusted voltage to the component. Light source unit 12 (22) operates toemit light in response to a control signals 32 (41-43) and 33 receivedfrom CPU 1, as described hereinafter. Battery 13 is typically a lithiumbattery, a nicad battery or the like.

With reference to FIG. 2, light source unit 12 includes a boostercircuit 14, an LED 15 outputting red light, an LED 16 outputting greenlight, an LED 17 outputting blue light, and switching FETs 18-20corresponding to LEDs 15-17, respectively. Booster circuit 14 operatesin response to control signal 33 received from CPU 1 to boost a voltagereceived from battery 13 to a level required to drive LEDs 15-17, andoutput the boosted voltage. Booster circuit 14 has a functioncontrolling a constant current circuit and its current so that an outputhas a constant current level based on control signal 33. Booster circuit14 has an output having LEDs 15-17 connected thereto in series, and LEDs15-17 have switching FETs 18-20, respectively, connected thereto inparallel. FETs 18-20 have their respective gates receiving controlsignal 32 from CPU 1. Control signal 32 controls the FETs 18-20respective gates to be individually turned on/off. When an FET has itsgate turned on, the corresponding LED has opposite ends short-circuitedand is thus prevented from receiving a current from booster circuit 14,and only an LED with its associated FET having its gate turned offreceives a current from booster circuit 14 in a forward direction toemit light. As such, when control signal 32 turns off all of FETs 18-20,LEDs 15-17 simultaneously receive a current in the forward direction andthus emit light to emit white light for illumination.

Furthermore, FETs 18-20 each receive pulsed voltage which is changed inpulse width. Thereby, the quantities of light emitted by LEDs 15-17 canbe adjusted.

FIG. 2 shows three LEDs 15-17 connected in series. Alternatively, asshown in the FIG. 3 light source unit 22, LEDs 35-37 emitting red light,green light and blue light may be connected in parallel. For the FIG. 3parallel connection, a booster circuit 34 receives a voltage frombattery 13 and boosts it to a prescribed level and as a result LEDs35-37 connected in parallel each receive at one end a current of aconstant level in a forward direction. LEDs 35-37 have their respectiveother ends with pulse width modulation circuits 38-40, respectively,connected thereto. PWM circuits 38-40 receive pulse signals 41-43, whichare applied from CPU 1 to the LEDs' respective other ends, to variablyadjust the pulses, respectively, in width. LEDs 35-37 can emit redlight, green light and blue light in quantities each fine-adjusted by awidth of a pulse applied.

FIGS. 5A and 5B represent a timing of inputting image data Di by cameraunit 5 and a level of a current supplied to light source unit 12, ascorrelated with each other as time elapses. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of anoperation in a mode of shooting an object by camera unit 5. Inaccordance with the FIG. 6 flow chart and with reference to FIGS. 5A and5B light source unit 12 is controlled, as be described hereinafter.Control signal 32 controls FETs 18-20 to have their respective gates allturned on for the sake of illustration.

Initially, the mobile phone enters the shooting mode, the camera unitpicks up an image of an object, and CPU 1 receives image data D1 viacamera controller 4 (step (S)1). In response, CPU 1 determines whethershutter key 52 is pressed (S1 a). If so then image data D1 is stored bycamera controller 4 via memory 40 to memory 2 (S1 b). Then CPU 1 returnsto S1. If shutter key 52 is not pressed, CPU 1 determines whetherillumination key 51 is pressed (S2). If not, FETs 18-20 have their gatesall turned on, and LEDs 15-17 are not supplied with a current and do notemit light. The camera shoots an image without LEDs 15-17 emitting whitelight for illumination.

From camera unit 5 image data D2 is received and subsequently at a timet1 the user presses illumination key 51. In response, CPU 1 outputscontrol signal 32 to turn off all of the gates of FETs 18-20 and alsooutputs control signal 33 to control booster circuit 14 to supply acurrent of a low level to LEDs 15-17. The LEDs all emit light, and whitelight for illumination is thus output. Note that LEDs 15-17 receive in aforward direction a current of a level for example of 20 mA (S3).

Then, CPU 1 determines whether the user has pressed on shutter key 52(S4). If not then CPU 1 determines that the shooting mode is terminated(S5), and if so then CPU 1 exits the current process, otherwise, itreceives image data D1 (S6) and moves again to S3. Thereafter beforeshutter key 52 is pressed or a time t2 is reached, i.e., while steps 3-6are repeated to receive image data D3-D6, CPU 1 performs a process forexample to adjust white balance, adjust exposure, set an angle of view,and the like, as has been described previously.

Subsequently when shutter key 52 is pressed (YES at S4) CPU 1 outputscontrol signal 33 to control booster circuit 14 to boost a level of acurrent supplied from booster circuit 14 to LEDs 15-17 in the forwarddirection. For example, it is boosted to 40 mA. As a result, LEDs 15-17emit light in a rapidly increased quantity to emit a flashlight toilluminate the object (S7). Immediately after shutter key 52 is pressed,image data D7 (obtained through shooting when the flashlight is emitted)is received, and this data is stored by camera controller 4 via memory40 to memory 2 (S8). After the data has been stored, or at a time t3,CPU 1 outputs control signals 32 and 33 to prevent LEDs 15-17 fromreceiving a current (S9). Then, CPU 1 returns to S1.

In this scenario, once image data received immediately after shutter key52 is pressed has been stored to memory 2, LEDs 15-17 are prevented fromreceiving a current. Alternatively, a current supplied may be controlledto have a low level (20 mA) and the control may return to S3.

Thus by pressing illumination key 51 and shutter key 52 a flashlightemitted in shooting an image of an object and a light different inilluminance and time of emission from the flashlight can selectively beoutput from a single source of light. An object's image can be shotafter illumination key 51 is pressed to output toward the object lightfor illumination lower in illuminance than a flashlight so that inshooting the object's image the object's eyes can receive less dazzlinglight than when a flashlight of high illuminance is suddenly output in adark place. Furthermore, if an object is in a dark place and thusunperceivable, illumination key 51 can be pressed to continuously outputlight for illumination of a level allowing the object to be confirmed. Afunction similar to a search light can be provided and by the light forillumination the object can be located and its picture can thus be shot.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when image data D1 and D2 are being input, an imageis obtained without light source unit 12 outputting light forillumination, however, when time t1 is reached and illumination key 51is turned on, for the purpose described above LEDs 15-17 output light oflow illuminance for illumination. While the LEDs are doing so, cameraunit 5 periodically outputs image data D3, D4 and D5. After time t1elapses and when time t2 is reached, and shutter key 52 is pressed, awhite flashlight will illuminate the object. Immediately thereafterimage data D7 is input, and the data is stored to memory 2. At time t3,to cancel the flashlight's illumination, LEDs 15-17 receive a currenthaving a level reduced to 20 mA. Thereafter, image data D8 and D9 arealso sequentially input and white balance adjustment and other similarprocesses as has been described above are performed.

The FIG. 5A image data D1-D9 can each be processed by camera controller4 and sequentially displayed via LCD controller 6 by LCD 7 on a screen.The user can see the screen of LCD 7 while the user can shoot an imageof the object. Note that while a level of a current supplied forflashlight is set to 40 mA, it is not limited thereto and may be a levelexceeding 40 mA.

Furthermore, LEDs 15-17 associated with FETs 18-20 having their gatescontrolled by signal 32 to selectively turn on or off to allow red lightemission, green light emission and blue light emission to be combined asdesired, can also be used as a lamp to notify a user of the mobilephone's operation state. With reference to FIG. 7, the mobile phone'sstate is indicated in a procedure, as will be described hereinafter. TheFIG. 7 process is effected for example by an interruption of every 20msec.

CPU 1 detects via antenna 10, wireless system 9 and encoding/decodingcircuit 3 that a call is received (S10) and responsively outputs controlsignals 32 and 33 to light source unit 12 to control it to cause onlyLED 17 to flash (S11). Blue light can alone flash to notify the userthat the call has been received. If the mobile phone's battery 13 isbeing charged (YES at S12), CPU 1 outputs control signals 32 and 33 toallow light source unit 12 to have LED 15 alone receiving a current in aforward direction to control it to turn on red light (S13). The user,confirming that red light is turned on, can recognize that the mobilephone is being charged.

Furthermore, if CPU 1 detects that mail has been received (YES at S14),CPU 1 outputs control signals 32 and 33 to control light source unit 12to cause only LED 16 to flash (S15). From the green flashing light, theuser can learn that mail has been received.

FIG. 7 illustrates only three states, i.e., reception of a call,charging, and reception of mail. However, other states can also benotified by flashing or turning on more than one LEDs 15-17 combinedtogether. Furthermore, a predetermined color of light common toreception of a call and that of mail may be turned on.

Furthermore, at least one of LEDs 15-17 may be turned on to sound (suchas a melody) informing the user that a call, mail or the like has beenreceived. Furthermore, the LEDs may be grouped for differentcounterparts and turned on for indication. Furthermore, if the mobilephone is used to run software for a game, at least one of LEDs 15-17 maybe turned on in accordance with the game's contents or may be turned onin synchronization with the game's sound effect.

The present embodiment allows LEDs 15-17 to emit red light, green lightand blue light simultaneously to emit white light. Significantly naturallight can be obtained for a flashlight used for shooting a picture.Furthermore, LEDs 15-17 can significantly be miniaturized and readilyincorporated even in a mobile phone. Thus a flashlight used for shootinga picture can be output without a large device configuration.

The above described mobile equipment has light source unit 12 configuredof LEDs 15-17 and red light, green light and blue light aresimultaneously emitted to generate white light. However, the lightsource unit's LEDs are not limited in number to three. For example, anexample employing two or less LEDs will be described hereinafter. InFIG. 8, a light source unit 62 includes a booster circuit 64, an LED 65outputting blue light, an LED 66 outputting yellow light, and switchingFETs 68-69 associated with LEDs 65 and 66, respectively. LEDs 65 and 66can be operated to simultaneously emit light to generate white light. Inthis example, the smaller number of LEDs allow the apparatus to bereduced in size.

In FIG. 9, a light source unit 72 includes a booster circuit 74, an LED75 outputting white light, and a switching FET 78 associated with LED75. LED 75 outputting white light is of a type using a blue LED andyellow phosphor to output white light, a type using a blue LED with acolored cap thereon, or the like. A single LED 75 can be used for lightsource unit 72, and the apparatus can further be miniaturized.

In the above described mobile equipment light source unit 12 can haveone or two LEDs alone turned on or flashing to allow the user torecognize that a call has been received, that the phone is beingcharged, that mail has been received, and other states. Thus, the LEDscan be used for both illumination and indication of states. Theapparatus can further be miniaturized.

Furthermore, numeral keys or other similar keys to be operated formed ofan optically transmissive material can have LEDs incorporated thereinand emitting light to emit white light through the key. The emittedwhite light can be used together with the above described light sourceunit to provide a larger quantity of light and also allow the apparatusto be miniaturized, and also inform the user of more states ofoperation. This example employs a large number of key's LEDs, and isapplicable not only to operating LEDs to simultaneously emit light, asdescribed above, but also operating them to sequentially emit light, andin that case, reduced power consumption and the LEDs' increaseddurability can be achieved. The LEDs may themselves emit white light ormay emit light which in turn changes in color to white as the light istransmitted through the key.

In the present embodiment in the shooting mode an LED is used as anauxiliary source of light for shooting to emit white light. For example,a light emitting device generating red light, a light emitting devicegenerating green light and a light emitting device generating blue lightcan all be supplied with a current to emit light so that a source oflight emitting white light can be obtained and white light forillumination can be directed to illuminate an object. Furthermore, asLEDs of three colors, R, G, B, are used, a spectrum of three primarycolors of R, G, and B is provided. In shooting, color reproductivity canbe enhanced. Furthermore in the shooting mode an object is exposed towhite light for illumination. This allows an object in natural light toreceive a spot light and thus more clearly be confirmed.

The present embodiment has been described with a mobile phoneexemplified as mobile equipment equipped with light source unit 12. Thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and the mobile equipment maybe a mobile digital camera or it may be a mobile audio/video (motion orstill picture) recorder.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Thus the present mobile equipment and mobile phone having a shootingfunction are used for in directing light to an object for illuminationto confirm the object and shoot a picture thereof.

1. Mobile equipment having a function of shooting a picture, comprising:a camera unit; memory for storing image data output from said cameraunit; a light source unit employing a light emitting diode to emit whitelight as an auxiliary light source for shooting said picture; and aninput device including an illumination key and a shutter key, wherein:when said illumination key is operated, said light source unitcontinuously emits light for illumination lower in illuminance than thatfor illumination of a level corresponding to a flash such that saidlight for illumination lower in illuminance has a first constant level;when said light source unit is thus continuously emitting light forillumination, and said shutter key is operated, said light source unitemits said light for illumination having said level corresponding tosaid flash; and after said shutter key is operated and said image datais stored to said memory, said light source unit continuously emits saidlight for illumination lower in luminance than that for illumination ofsaid level corresponding to said flash such that said light forillumination lower in luminance has a second constant level.
 2. Themobile equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a display unitdisplaying an image corresponding to said image data output from saidcamera unit, wherein when said display unit is displaying an image andthe mobile equipment is thus in operation to shoot said picture, andsaid illumination key is operated, said light source unit emits lightfor illumination lower in illuminance than that for illumination of alevel corresponding to a flash.
 3. The mobile equipment according toclaim 1, wherein when said illumination key is not operated said lightsource unit does not emit said light for illumination lower inilluminance, and when said light source unit does not emit said lightfor illumination lower in illuminance and said shutter key is operatedsaid camera unit shoots said picture without said light for illuminationhaving said level corresponding to said flash.
 4. The mobile equipmentaccording to claim 1, wherein said light source unit is more than onesaid light emitting diode.
 5. The mobile equipment according to claim 4,wherein said light source unit causes said more than one said lightemitting diode to simultaneously emit light to emit said white light. 6.The mobile equipment according to claim 5, wherein said more than onesaid light emitting diode has light emitting diodes emitting red light,green light and blue light, respectively.
 7. The mobile equipmentaccording to claim 4, wherein said more than one said light emittingdiode has light emitting diodes emitting red light, green light and bluelight respectively.
 8. The mobile equipment according to claim 1,wherein said light source unit also serves as unit for signaling thatthe mobile equipment is in operation other than that to shoot saidpicture.
 9. The mobile equipment according to claim 8, wherein saidoperation other than that to shoot said picture includes at least one ofa call receiving operation; a charging operation; and a mail receivingoperation.
 10. The mobile equipment according to claim 9, wherein insaid operation other than that to shoot said picture said light sourceunit is controlled to flash on and off or turn on light different fromsaid white light.
 11. The mobile equipment according to claim 8, whereinin said operation other than that to shoot said picture said lightsource unit is controlled to flash on and off or turn on light differentfrom said white light.
 12. The mobile equipment according to claim 1,further comprising: a battery; and a booster circuit receiving voltagefrom said battery and boosting said voltage to drive said light emittingdiode.
 13. The mobile equipment according to claim 1, wherein said lightfor illumination having said level corresponding to said flash isemitted for illumination regardless of timing of reading said image datareceived from said camera unit.
 14. The mobile equipment according toclaim 1, wherein said light for illumination lower in illuminance orsaid light for illumination corresponding to said flash is emitted forillumination by controlling voltage supplied to said light emittingdiode by pulse width modulation.
 15. The mobile equipment according toclaim 1, further comprising a foldable casing, wherein when said casingis folded said camera unit and said light source unit are located at anexternal surface of said casing folded.
 16. The mobile equipmentaccording to claim 1, being mobile telephone.
 17. The mobile equipmentaccording to claim 1, said first constant level is equal to said secondconstant level.
 18. Mobile equipment having a function of shooting apicture, comprising: shooting means for shooting said picture; storingmeans for storing image data output from said shooting means; lightsource means employing a light emitting diode for emitting white lightas an auxiliary light source to shoot said picture; and input meansincluding an illumination key and a shutter key, wherein: when saidillumination key is operated, said light source unit continuously emitslight for illumination lower in illuminance than that for illuminationof a level corresponding to a flash such that said light forillumination lower in illuminance has a first constant level; when saidlight source means is thus continuously emitting light for illumination,and said shutter key is operated, said light source means emits saidlight for illumination having said level corresponding to said flash;and after said shutter key is operated and said image data is stored tosaid storing means, said light source means continuously emits saidlight for illumination lower in luminance than that for illumination ofsaid level corresponding to said flash such that said light forillumination lower in luminance has a second constant level.